Assignment task:
Include evolutionary psychological concepts and principles and use critical thinking
1. The naturalistic fallacy suggests that you should not assume that just because something is true it must therefore be morally correct. The moralistic fallacy is the opposite: just because something is morally correct it doesn't mean that it is true. If one were to find evidence for something that seemed morally unpleasant (e.g. relationships between race and IQ) should this research be published? Should the research even be carried out? If you answered 'yes' to these questions, consider whether scientists should take special care when publishing such data, especially when discussing their ideas with the media. Which intellectual traits from the Paul-Elder critical thinking model play an important role for this topic?
2. Although eugenics is almost universally reviled nowadays, many of the advocates thought eugenics was for the greater good of society. To what extent might this be the result of our ethical principles changing over time, from those focused on the good of society to those focused on the rights of the individual? Which intellectual traits from the Paul-Elder critical thinking model play an important role for this topic?